Recalling the first moments in the normalisation of Vietnam-U.S. relations, I could not forget the emotional feeling when I saw the national flag flying on the U.S. soil on the day the Embassy of Vietnam to the United States opened on May 8, 1995.
Looking back over the past passage with major changes, the Vietnam-U.S. ship has made a long journey, from initial steps to handshakes for cooperation.
February 3, 1994 is regarded as a memorable milestone in bilateral relations when President Clinton declared the lifting of the embargo. Surprisingly this event coincided with the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Although it was a coincidence but the event was much expected by many people in Vietnam and the United States.
There are many touching stories related to the tough process of normalisation. In 1991, at a hearing by the U.S. Congress, a story between an elderly mother in Vietnam and her child in the United States who have not seen each other for decades and were barred by the embargo from talking and comforting each other brought a strong impact.
Eventually the Congress agreed with the establishment of a phone line from the United States to Vietnam. It was one of many stories of the struggle to build the normalisation path.
I think there are two factors that have deeply influenced on the normalisation process. Firstly the world situation before the normalisation had many changes. Especially in 1987, the relations between the Soviet Union and the United States and between China and the Soviet Union reached steps of reconciliation, and at the time, the Soviet Union was also embracing a reform. The world context at that time had significant changes compared to the previous decade.
Secondly it is needed to mention the 1986-1987 period, while our country started the Doi Moi (reform) process, but the domestic economic situation still faced many difficulties. Under such a circumstance, the relationship between Vietnam and the United States was a key for Vietnam to open up to the world. For example, a Vietnamese company willing to sell products to an Indian firm but since the account of the Indian company was with a U.S. bank, payments had been frozen so Vietnamese firms faced disadvantages in business.
In 1988, when Vietnam was beginning the Doi Moi process and the world was undergoing huge changes, Vietnam and the United States made some exchanges and contacts as well as cooperated on MIA issues. This was also the precondition so that during 1991 - 1992, U.S. businesses found in Vietnam a potential market and actively lobbied for changes in bilateral relations. President Bush (father) himself decided to establish representative offices of these companies in Vietnam. Another milestone of higher significance was laid during President Bill Clinton’s era, when he announced in 1993 that the United States will let the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to lend to Vietnam. In late 1993, Vietnam began to be able to borrow funds from the World Bank.
Later, when stories go about the development of bilateral relations, people often mention an important milestone in 2001 when the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) was signed. In 2001, economic relations relatively developed and went in-depth with a number of agreements concluded subsequently. Until now, trade between the two countries has developed rapidly with a value of more than US$15 billion .
Looking back at the relationship between Vietnam and the United States, which is being developed well today, the one thing I would like to stress the most is that we have achieved normal relations with the United States.
That is like Vietnam has normal relations with four other countries which are permanent members of the UN Security Council. For the first time in history we have good relations with all countries in the world. That is a guarantee to elevate Vietnam’s position.
Two hundred years ago we began ties with the United States but had not been able to build up an official relationship.
The second important thing is that our country's economy, even still in a backward stage, has created a smooth connection with financial, scientific and technology markets and trading ties have expanded. The results achieved in the Vietnam-U.S. relations over the past 15 years ranged from economic to political, diplomatic areas in which both sides have made great efforts. From Vietnam, the Party, the State and people all have agreed on the policy to promote the relations. On the U.S. side, although there are internal problems but they also strive hard.
Regarding the future, I hold that the Vietnam-U.S. relations, while largely still decided by the United States and Vietnam, are also dependent on the environment of intermediary parties and changes in international relations. That is a synergy. It is also a very good thing for the country, the people, especially for increasingly advancing the position of Vietnam in the international arena.
Soource: Vietnam-USA Magazine's special edition: Vietnam-US: New Chronicle published in July, 2010 .
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